Garment with apparel information tape

ABSTRACT

A garment including a base member with a collar area adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer&#39;s neck. The collar area includes a back side adapted to be disposed adjacent the back of the neck of the wearer. The garment also includes a tape member coupled to the base member and extending across substantially the entire length of the back side of the collar area. The tape member includes information chosen from a group consisting of size information of the garment, recommended care instructions for the garment, geographic area where the garment was manufactured, material content of the garment, and a combination thereof. A method of manufacturing the garment is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/609,809, filed on Sep. 15, 2004. The disclosure of the above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment and, more particularly, relates to a garment with an apparel information tape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a wide variety of styles of garments that are worn about a person's upper body, such as T-shirts, button-down shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, coats, sweaters, and the like. Oftentimes, persons prefer more comfortable garments over those that are less comfortable. However, certain garments include attached tags or labels that detrimentally affect the comfort of the garment. For instance, shirts often include an attached tag that hangs from the collar area and includes certain information about the shirt itself, such as the size of the shirt, the geographic area in which the shirt was manufactured, the material content of the shirt, and/or recommended care instructions for the shirt. These tags can abrasively rub against and otherwise irritate the wearer's skin, thereby making the shirt uncomfortable to wear.

In partial response to this problem, certain garments have been made and marketed that include information but that do not include tags or labels. These so-called “tagless shirts” are manufactured and then the information is included on the shirt, typically by thermal transfer or silk screening processes. However, the thermal transfer operation can be cost prohibitive. Also, the information printed on the shirt can show through to the outside of the shirt and detrimentally affect the aesthetic appeal of the garment. Thus, there remains a need for a garment which includes a less expensive means for conveying information about the garment that is unlikely to detrimentally affect the comfort and/or aesthetic appeal of the garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-identified needs are addressed in the garment of the present invention. The garment includes a base member that includes a collar area adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer's neck. The collar area includes a back side adapted to be disposed adjacent the back of the neck of the wearer. The garment also includes a tape member coupled to the base member and extending across substantially the entire length of the back side of the collar area. The tape member includes information chosen from a group consisting of size information of the garment, recommended care instructions for the garment, geographic area where the garment was manufactured, material content of the garment, and a combination thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention is a method of manufacturing a garment that includes a base member and a tape member. The base member includes a collar area adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer's neck. The collar area includes a back side adapted to be disposed adjacent the back of the neck of the wearer. The method includes the steps of including information on the tape member. The information is chosen from a group consisting of size information of the garment, recommended care instructions for the garment, geographic area where the garment was manufactured, material content of the garment, and a combination thereof. The method also includes the step of coupling the tape member to the base member such that the tape member extends across substantially the entire length of the back side of the collar area.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a garment constructed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the garment of taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the garment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of another embodiment of a garment constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of a garment constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. The garment 10 can be worn by a wearer 12 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1). In the embodiment shown, the style of the garment 10 is a T-shirt. However, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the garment 10 could be of any suitable style such as a button-down shirt, a polo shirt, a sweat shirt, a jacket, a coat, a sweater, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The garment 10 includes a base member 14. The base member 14 generally includes a trunk portion 16, which is generally tubular in shape and covers the torso of the wearer 12. The trunk portion 16 of the base member 14 defines a waist aperture 18 through which the lower body 20 of the wearer 12 can extend. The trunk portion 16 of the base member 14 also defines a head aperture 22. The head 24 and neck 26 of the wearer 12 can extend through the head aperture 22. The trunk portion 16 of the base member 14 further includes a first arm aperture 28 and a second arm aperture 30. An arm 32 a can extend through the first arm aperture 28 and the opposite arm 32 b can extend through the second arm aperture 30. In the embodiment shown, the base member 14 also includes a first sleeve 34 and a second sleeve 36. The first and second sleeves 34, 36 are each tubular in shape. The first sleeve 34 is attached to the trunk portion 16 at the first arm aperture 28, and the second sleeve is attached to the trunk portion 16 at the second arm aperture 30. As shown, the arms 32 a, 32 b of the wearer 12 can extend through the first and second arm apertures 28, 30 and through the first and second sleeves 34, 36. It should be appreciated that the garment 10 could be sleeveless without departing from the scope of the invention. It should also be appreciated that the sleeves 34, 36 could be of any suitable length.

The base member 14 also defines an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40. The inner surface 38 is disposed against the wearer 12 when the garment 10 is worn, and the outer surface 40 is opposite to the inner surface 38.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 14 includes a collar area that is adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer's neck 26. The collar area 42 substantially defines the head aperture 22. The collar area 42 includes a front side 44 adapted to be disposed adjacent the front 45 of the neck 24 of the wearer 12. The collar area 42 also includes a back side 46 adapted to be disposed adjacent the back 47 of the neck 26 of the wearer 12.

In the embodiment shown, the base member 14 also includes at least one seam. For instance, the trunk portion 16 includes a front portion 48 and a back portion 50 that are coupled via a first shoulder seam 52, a second shoulder seam 54, a first side seam 56, and a second side seam 58. It will be appreciated that the front portion 48 and the back portion 50 cooperate to define the features of the trunk portion 16 including the waist aperture 18, the head aperture 22, the first arm aperture 28, and the second arm aperture 30. In the embodiment shown, the first shoulder seam 52 extends from the first arm aperture 28 to the head aperture 22. The second shoulder seam 54 extends from the second arm aperture 30 to the head aperture 22. The first side seam 56 extends from the first arm aperture 28 to the waist aperture 18. The second side seam 58 extends from the second arm aperture 30 to the waist aperture 18. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there could be any number of seams and that the seams could be arranged in any suitable fashion on the base member 14. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the seams could be of any suitable style, such as butt seams, lap seams, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the embodiment shown, the base member 14 also includes a collar portion 60. In the embodiment shown, the collar portion 60 is a ring of material that is coupled to the trunk portion 16 adjacent the collar area 42. More specifically, the collar portion 60 is coupled to the trunk portion 16 via a collar seam 62. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the collar portion 60 could be of any suitable style, such as a button-down collar, a tuxedo collar, and the like, without departing from the scope of the invention. Because the collar portion 60 is a ring in the embodiment shown, the collar seam 62 is also a ring that continuously extends in a length-wise direction about the front side 44 of the collar area 42 and the back side 46 of the collar area 42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first shoulder seam 52 intersects the collar seam 62 at a first seam intersection 63, and the second shoulder seam 54 intersects the collar seam 62 at a second seam intersection 65.

The garment 10 also includes a tape member 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The tape member 64 is generally flat and elongate so as to define a first terminal end 66, a second terminal end 68, a first longitudinal side 70, and a second longitudinal side 72. In one embodiment, the tape member 64 is made at least partially out of cotton, such as a cotton twill. In another embodiment, the tape member 64 is made at least partially out of a polymeric material. In one embodiment, the tape member 64 is made out of the same material as the base member 14. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the tape member 64 could be made of any suitable material.

The tape member 64 is coupled to the base member 14 so as to extend across substantially the entire length of the back side 46 of the collar area 42. In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first terminal end 66 of the tape member 64 is coupled to the inner surface 38 of the base member 14 adjacent the first arm aperture 28. Likewise, the second terminal end 68 of the tape member 64 is coupled to the inner surface 38 of the base member 14 adjacent the second arm aperture 30. The tape member 64 extends along and covers each of the first and second shoulder seams 52, 54 on the inner surface 38 of the base member 14. The tape member 64 also covers each of the first seam intersection 63 and the second seam intersection 65 on the inner surface 38. The tape member 64 also covers the collar seam 62 along substantially the entire length of the back side 46 of the collar area 42. The tape member 64 covers the shoulder seams 52, 545 and a portion of the collar seam 62 on the inner surface 38 of the base member 14 such that the tape member 64 is disposed between the base member 14 and the wearer 12. As such, the tape member 64 makes the garment 10 more comfortable to wear because the seams 52, 54, 62 are unlikely to irritate the skin of the wearer 12.

It should be appreciated that the tape member 64 could be coupled to the base member 14 in any suitable fashion. For instance, in one embodiment, the tape member 64 is stitched to the base member 14. The stitching could be of any suitable type and style. For instance, in one embodiment, the first longitudinal side 70 and the second longitudinal side 72 of the tape member 64 are each stitched to the base member 14. In another embodiment, the tape member 64 is coupled to the base member 14 with adhesives.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tape member 64 includes information thereon. The information can include size information of the garment, recommended care instructions for the garment, geographic area where the garment was manufactured, material content of the garment, or a combination that includes two or more of these types of information. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the tape member 64 includes information identifying the garment as size extra large (XL). The tape member 64 also includes information identifying the garment 10 as being made out of one hundred percent (100%) cotton. The tape member 64 further includes information explaining that the garment 10 was made in the U.S.A. In addition, the tape member 64 includes information instructing the user not to use bleach when cleaning the garment 10. It should be appreciated that the information shown in FIG. 3 is merely representative of one particular garment 10. The actual text and/or symbols serving as information about the garment 10 could be of a wide variety depending on the particular garment 10 to which the tape member 64 is coupled. The information on the tape member 64 allows the user to readily understand the nature of the garment 10 without the need for hanging tags or labels. As such, the garment 10 is more comfortable to wear. Including the information on the garment 10 in this manner can also be less expensive than other means. Furthermore, the information is sufficiently hidden from view when worn and is unlikely to detrimentally affect the aesthetic appeal of the garment 10.

The information on the tape member 64 can be included on the tape member 64 in any suitable fashion. For instance, in one embodiment, the information is included on the tape member 64 using screen printing processes, heat transferred processes, knitting, weaving processes, embroidery, imprinting, printing, or a combination of those processes.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the types of information on the tape member 64 repeats along the length of the tape member 64. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the information is included in a repeating sequence along the length of the tape member 64. For instance, reading from left to right in FIG. 3, a first sequence includes the size information, followed by the material information, which is followed by the geographic area manufacturer, which is followed by care instructions. A second sequence then begins with size information, followed by the material information, and so on. As such, a tape member 64 of a shorter length will likely include the same amount of information as a longer tape member 64 because the information is repeated in sequence. This can facilitate manufacture of the garment 10.

An alternative embodiment of the garment is generally indicated at 110 in FIG. 4, where like structure is indicated with like numerals increased by one hundred with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the garment 110 includes a base member 114 and a tape member 164. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the first terminal end 166 and the second terminal end 168 are each coupled to the collar area 142 of the base member 114. More specifically, the first terminal end 166 is disposed adjacent the first seam intersection 163 and the second terminal end 168 is disposed adjacent the second seam intersection 164. In one embodiment, the first terminal end 166 covers the first seam intersection 163, and the second terminal end 168 of the tape member 164 covers the second seam intersection 164. The remaining portion of the tape member 164 covers the collar seam 162 along substantially the entire length of the back side 146 of the collar area 142. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the tape member 164 includes information allowing the wearer 12 to understand the nature of the garment 110.

To manufacture the garment 10, 110, the information is included on the tape member 64, 164, and the tape member 64, 164 is coupled to the base member 114. In one embodiment, the information is included on the tape member 64, 164 before the tape member 64, 164 is coupled to the base member 14, 114. However, the information could be included on the tape member 64, 164 after the tape member 64, 164 is coupled to the base member 14, 114.

In summary, the garment 10, 110 is comfortable and includes information about the garment 10, 110. The garment 10, 110 can be less expensive to manufacture. The garment 10, 110 can also be more aesthetically pleasing.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A garment comprising: a base member that includes a collar area adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer's neck, wherein said collar area includes a back side adapted to be disposed adjacent the back of the neck of the wearer; and a tape member coupled to said base member and extending across substantially the entire length of said back side of said collar area, and wherein said tape member includes information chosen from a group consisting of size information of said garment, recommended care instructions for said garment, geographic area where said garment was manufactured, material content of said garment, and a combination thereof.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said base member defines an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said base member includes a collar seam and at least one shoulder seam that intersects said collar seam at a seam intersection, and wherein said tape member covers said seam intersection on said inner surface of said base member.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said tape member includes a terminal end coupled to said collar area of said base member.
 4. The garment of claim 3, wherein said base member includes a first shoulder seam, a collar seam, and a second shoulder seam, wherein said first shoulder seam intersects said collar seam at a first seam intersection, wherein said second shoulder seam intersects said collar seam at a second seam intersection, wherein said tape member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end, and wherein said tape member is coupled to said base member such that said first terminal end is disposed adjacent said first seam intersection, said second terminal end is disposed adjacent said second seam intersection, and said tape member covers said collar seam along substantially the entire length of said back side of collar area.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said base member includes an arm aperture through which an arm of the wearer can extend, and wherein said tape member includes a terminal end coupled to said base member adjacent said arm aperture.
 6. The garment of claim 5, wherein said base member includes a first arm aperture, a second arm aperture, a first shoulder seam, a second shoulder seam, and a collar seam, wherein said tape member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end, and wherein said tape member is coupled to said base member such that said first terminal end is disposed adjacent said first arm aperture, said second terminal end is disposed adjacent said second arm aperture, said tape member covers said first shoulder seam, said tape member covers said second shoulder seam, and said tape member covers said collar seam along substantially the entire length of said back side of said collar area.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein said base member defines an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said base member includes at least one seam disposed at said collar area, and wherein said tape member covers at least a portion of said at least one seam on said inner surface of said base member.
 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein said base member includes a trunk portion and a collar portion coupled at said at least one seam.
 9. The garment of claim 7, wherein said base member includes a trunk portion having a front portion and a back portion, said front portion coupled to said back portion via at least one shoulder seam, wherein said tape member covers at least a portion of said at least one shoulder seam.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein said information is included on said tape member via a process chosen from a group consisting of screen printing, heat transfer, knitting, weaving, embroidery, imprinting, printing, and a combination thereof.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein information on said tape member repeats along the length of said tape member.
 12. A method of manufacturing a garment that includes a base member and a tape member, wherein the base member includes a collar area adapted to be disposed adjacent the wearer's neck, wherein the collar area includes a back side adapted to be disposed adjacent the back of the neck of the wearer, said method comprising the steps of: including information on the tape member, wherein the information is chosen from a group consisting of size information of the garment, recommended care instructions for the garment, geographic area where the garment was manufactured, material content of the garment, and a combination thereof; and coupling the tape member to the base member such that the tape member extends across substantially the entire length of the back side of the collar area.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of including information on the tape member is performed before said step of coupling the tape member to the base member.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of including information on the tape member comprises a process chosen from a group consisting of screen printing, heat transfer, knitting, weaving, embroidery, imprinting, printing, and a combination thereof.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of including information on the tape member comprises repeating information on the tape member.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein said step of coupling the tape member to the base member comprises coupling a terminal end of the tape member to the collar area.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the base member includes an arm aperture through which an arm of the wearer can extend, and wherein said step of coupling the tape member to the base member includes coupling a terminal end of the tape member adjacent to the arm aperture.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the base member defines an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the base member includes at least one seam disposed at the collar area, and wherein said step of coupling the tape member to the base member includes covering at least a portion of the at least one seam with the tape member on the inner surface of the base member.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the base member includes a trunk portion and a collar portion coupled at the at least one seam.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the base member includes a trunk portion having a front portion and a back portion, wherein the front portion is coupled to said back portion at at least one shoulder seam, and wherein said step of coupling the tape member to the base member includes covering at least a portion of the at least one shoulder seam with the tape member. 